Jon Boden sang Gallant Hussar
as the October 8, 2010 entry of his project
A Folk Song a Day.

Lyrics

Shirley Collins sings The Gallant Hussar

Eliza Carthy sings Gallant Hussar

A damsel possessed of great beauty,
She stood by her father's gate
The gallant hussars were on duty;
To view them this maiden did wait.
Their horses were capering and prancing,
Their accoutrements shone like a star.
From the plains they were nearest advancing,
She espied the gallant hussar.

A damsel possessed of great beauty,
As she stood at her own father's gate
Where the gallant hussars were on duty;
To view them this maiden did wait.
Their horses stood cap'ring and prancing,
Their accoutrements shone like a star.
And as they stood nearer advancing,
Young Jane spied her gallant hussar.

With their pelisses hung o'er their shoulders,
How careless they seemed for to ride.
And warlike appeared this young soldier
With his glittering sword by his side.
To the barracks next morning so early
This damsel she went in a car,
Because she loved him so dearly
Young Edward, the gallant hussar.

It was there she conversed with her soldier
And thus she was heard for to say,
“I never have seen none more bolder,
To follow my laddie away.
But twelve months on bread and colt water
My parents confined me for you.
Hard-hearted friends to their daughter
Whose heart it is loyal and true.
Unless they confine me for ever
Or banish me from you afar,
I'll follow my soldier so clever,
And wed with my gallant hussar.”

Oh, as she conversed with the soldiers,
These words she was heard for to say,
“Oh I've a heart no one bolder,
To follow my laddie away.”
“Well come, come,” says Edward, ”be steady
And think of the dangers of war.
For when the trumpet sounds I must be ready,
Oh wed not the gallant Hussar.”

“Your parents, you're bound for to mind them
Or else you are for ever undone.
They will leave you no portion behind them,
So I pray you my company shun.”
Says she, “If you will be true-hearted
I have gold at my uncle's in store.
And from now we no more will be parted,
I will wed with my gallant Hussar.”

As he gazed on her beautiful features
Oh, the tears they did fall from each eye.
“I will wed with this beautiful creature
And shun cruel wars,” he did cry.
So now they're united together,
And think of them where they're afar,
And God bless them now and for ever,
Young Jane and her gallant Hussar.